Kingston

Anne Parfitt-King

Published:00:00Friday 27 May 2016

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KINGSTON WI: The meeting started with the treasurer reporting that we have one new member and one renewal. Our ‘Pink Pig’ money-box, used for donations to buy flowers, expired so Valerie Simmons replaced it with a china cupcake. The choir’s concert at the Rottingdean care home of Maisy, once a member was enjoyed by the residents many of whom joined in when we sang the Mary Poppins songs. New committee members are needed to replace those who left recently; Anna Philips was presented with flowers for her time on committee. Activities include Pilates is every Tuesday 2pm to 3pm in Kingston Parish Hall. The Craft Group meets at the Pavilion, 2pm to 4pm on Fridays and is making crocheted and knitted flowers for the South of England Show. The choir restarts on June 3 at 4.15pm at Peggy’s House to practice for autumn and Christmas time concerts. Dr Moira Harrison missed the April meeting so will now speak about Medical Detection Dogs with Treacle, at the October meeting. Plans are being made for the Kingston Fete on June 18 where the WI excels at the tea and cake stall; please make and donate a cake (or two), proceeds go towards the Parish Hall. Wivelsfield WI has invited members to a Strawberry Tea on Monday June 20 at 2pm, £6.50.

We voted on two resolutions that will go forward to the AGM to be held in Brighton on June 11. (1) Avoid food waste, address food poverty resulting in 31 for, four against. (2) Appropriate care in hospitals for people with dementia resulting in 32 for, two against.

Edwina Griffith, is an avid traveller and talked about her travels as a backpacker of a certain age. She has enjoyed travels to Australia, South America, and Asia starting in 2012 when her husband decided to retire but changed his mind so Edwina decided to travel instead as a lone backpacker. She used public transport as much as possible, stayed in youth hostels, and met wonderful locals who helped her where ever she went. Her philosophy was, if it’s good, it’s wonderful; if it’s bad it’s an experience. Her equipment included a sleeping bag liner, a head lamp, and good, comfortable walking boots. She learned about many cultures by being there to experience it and showed us photos from all over the world. Buses were often bone aching on long journeys, so a cushion is a must, and a strong bladder is soon developed. Trains don’t exist in Central America, but are plentiful in India but buy your ticket ahead. Sleeper trains are better than buses, but the downside are the toilets, here we saw a photo of the facilities. Not a pretty sight. There were water taxis in Indonesia, often shared with other travellers and in the Far East motorbikes/scooters are cheap and you can travel hundreds of miles. However, you have to carry everything you own so travel light. She has been lucky with food having few problems; it is easier as a vegetarian and she has not been ill, luckily. In India and the Far East she has had Temple food; it would be considered rude if you refused so everybody shares. Water is an issue; it is never safe to drink local water so don’t open your mouth in the shower. Utensils/plates cannot be trusted as clean, your hands or banana leaves are best. She said the taste of water purifying tablets is awful but they are needed. In Kerala, India she was made tea; the water was boiled the cow was milked and the lady took no money. She was welcomed to a wedding and as a white, older, British woman it was humbling to be revered and treated with honour. In hostels she tried to get a private room; used open top bathrooms, no smell but some noises. She shared food with others using the kitchens and got useful info about the next hostel and guides etc. Keeping your passport safe was a worry. She visited Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam learning a lot of the history but found there are still limited health and school systems. She also travelled in Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Colombia where she found the scenery wonderful. Although she said she never felt unsafe she was mugged in Costa Rica. She emphasised, trust your instincts but most of all trust the people.

Our next meeting is on Thursday when The Hailsham Photographic Society will present the Colour Show. Visitors are always very welcome to attend our meetings. Contact for further information Beverley Wakeford-Brown on 01273 475456 or beverley@wakeford-brown.com. (Helen Dudley).

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